The Need for Speed: Comcast Plans to Up Speeds, Qwest Putting FTTN on Ice

As a sure sign that the souring economy is causing broadband issues, Qwest is planning to ramp down deployment of their FTTN-based ASDL2+ service. While one of their supplies cites the coming winter weather as the reason for the slow-down, but analysts are reading between the lines that plunging landline subscriptions paired with a slowing economy means rough rides ahead for telcos. AT&T is also seeing some effects of slowing subscriber demand. It’s good news for ISPs, though: the wholesale price of bandwidth continues to drop and consumers are more willing to drop cable TV than high-speed Internet, especially as Comcast continues to raise rates.

Meanwhile, details of Comcast’s new DOCSIS 3.0 deployments is coming to light and, while good news for current subscribers or those switching from DSL, it’s hardly competitive with offerings from UTOPIA. In addition to a 50Mbps/5Mbps tier at $150/mo, Comcast plans to upgrade current subscribers to 12Mbps/2Mbps at $42.95/mo and offer a 22Mbps/5Mbps tier at $62.95/mo to compete with a similar offering from Verizon. Compare that to a 15Mbps/15Mbps plan at $40/mo or 50Mbps/50Mbps for $55/mo from either MSTAR or XMission. Just be thankful you aren’t a SureWest customer. They charge around $192/mo for a 50Mbps connection.

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to The Need for Speed: Comcast Plans to Up Speeds, Qwest Putting FTTN on Ice

  1. luminous says:

    Not that FTTN was a long term solution anyway. as to Comcast increasing their speed thats great I know alot of people that will pay for the higher speed tiers.

    Hopefully some details on customer installations to new area’s(layton) will make it past Utopianet’s Iron Curtain at the upcoming perry city meeting.

  2. u235sentinel says:

    We’ve considered moving out of West Jordan to a city with Utopia already available. It’s been a topic that’s popped up often especially since the city council isn’t willing to let them come in and join as a non pledging city. At least that way they could have some lines deployed with no liability and no cost to the city.

    Pretty shortsighted if I’m understanding this right. But then again what else could we expect from Mayor Newton.

    Most people I’ve spoken to are underwhelmed by his leadership (not just in this field mind you). He’s up for re-election in 2010. If we’re still in West Jordan you can bet I’ll be heavily supporting someone else for Mayor 😀

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *